Conservation refers to preventing the waste of a resource. The practice of protecting animal species and their habitats is known as wildlife conservation. It involves the protection of animals and their environments.
In general, wildlife conservation is applied to species that are in danger of becoming extinct due to unnatural causes. Such causes include unreasonable laws, pollution, and climate change. Furthermore, quotas can lead to excessive hunting and the captivity of wild animals.
In the past four decades, human activities have significantly reduced the number of animal species, with an estimated 10,000 species per year disappearing, resulting in the loss of half the world's wildlife population.
Other factors, including climate change causing droughts and floods, deforestation, overpopulation, and consumer culture also threaten wildlife species. To combat this, we must understand the importance of wildlife conservation and its many advantages for both animals and humans. Today we explore the top 10.
Top 10 Reasons Why Wildlife Conservation Is Important
1. Benefits to Health
Plants are the primary source of medications, but some animals are also important in the process. Cobra venom, for example, can be used to make leprosy medicines, while lobsters can be used as antifungals.
It is also important to note that conserving wildlife means conserving their natural habitats, which means preserving trees and vegetation, which are integral to medicinal research and pharmaceutical sustainability.
2. Enhances Pollination And Sustainability Of Native Plants
There is an important role played by small animals such as butterflies, bees, birds, and insects in food production. By preserving these animals, pollination can be promoted.
Their nectar-dependent nature makes them vital to crop production, intercropping, and maintaining the diversity of native plants. Bees carry pollen by visiting flowers in search of nectar, thus sustaining crop growth by moving from one flower to another.
3. Conserving Biodiversity And Preserving Endangered Species
Many animals in the jungle rely on each other through food chains and food webs. Carnivores such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs rely on herbivores like antelopes to survive. Therefore, the extinction of antelopes in the jungle can affect the survival of cats.
There will be an impact on the survival of other herbivores in the jungle since the cats will depend on other animals for their survival, which will have an impact on the giraffe population, which takes a long time to reproduce.
4. Enhances Food Security
A major function of wildlife conservation is to provide humans with food security. By preventing habitat degradation and forests from deforestation, a variety of food products would be available.
Through research, wildlife conservation contributes to agricultural diversity. By protecting the habitat, we ensure the availability of sufficient and reliable natural resources, thus enhancing food security.
5. Stabilizing And Balancing The Ecological System
Ecological stability and balance in the world are enhanced by preserving fauna and flora. By balancing carbon dioxide and oxygen in the environment, plants, for example, play a key role in ensuring a healthy ecosystem.
Whether it is humans or wild animals that become dominant, it will cause a lot of instability that will negatively affect the survival of all plant and animal species.
In the case of humans failing to conserve wildlife and natural habitats, this could lead to droughts and dissertations due to the destruction of water sources. Additionally, human activities such as deforestation and logging negatively affect the environment, so conserving wildlife is also about preserving ecological balance.
6. Learning and Education
For children, students, and scholars of all ages, studying wildlife and its habitat is an important learning experience. Watching animals helps children develop their imagination and conceptualize ideas, which are vital for their growth.
Zoos and game parks are important parts of the education system, so by not conserving the wildlife, teachers will be left with fewer resources for teaching biology and science.
7. Wildlife Conservation Benefits Tourism and the Economy
As a result of the wildlife conservation centers and their preserved natural habitats, tourism greatly contributes to economic growth in countries (the GDP of the nation). The tourism industry has greatly benefited countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Kenya, Australia, Tanzania, and South Africa.
Approximately 10.4% of global GDP comes from the tourism industry. In other words, exercising wildlife conservation can ensure animal survival, and prevent significant economic losses associated with tourism.
8. Enhances Aesthetics
In addition to being fun, watching animals in their natural habitat can also be relaxing. In protected areas, people often enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, boating, and hiking, as well as going to game parks, zoos, oceans, mountains, forests, and lakes.
People who spend the majority of their time in natural environments, whether they are watching wild animals, hunting, or simply taking a walk or a ride, are less likely to suffer from stress and stress-related conditions. By preserving wildlife, people can enjoy nature at its best!
9. Identifies New Species of Plants And Animals For Future Research
Although animal research has increased over the past decades, it is estimated that a significant number of animals and plants are yet to be discovered. Considering that most human medications are derived from microbial organisms, animals, and plants, it highlights the importance of conserving wildlife and the habitat in which it lives.
Many researchers believe that medications for incurable diseases might come from animals or plants that have yet to be discovered, thus the need to preserve natural habitats.
10. Protects and Preserves Culture And Heritage
Heritage and traditional culture are also conserved by conserving wildlife. The flora and fauna of some places are specific to the native practices and ways of life, meaning that unless the environment is preserved, the land and native heritage will be lost.
Big cats, for example, such as leopards, lions, cheetahs, as well as enormous herbivores like giraffes, and elephants are often associated with African Safaris that have been referred to as "magical Africa." The scenery of wild beasts migrating in the Serengeti Plain ecosystem is another major example.
Final Thoughts - So, Why Is Wildlife Conservation Important?
Wildlife conservation goes beyond simply saving animals, which is a difficult task, to saving and restoring natural habitats, as well as providing educational and empowerment initiatives worldwide.
Everyone has a responsibility to protect the world's wildlife. Corporate giants have enormous influence over what products are produced. Equally important is the demand from consumers. Do not underestimate the power of your actions. Consider your consumption habits, your waste output, your awareness, and your worded opinions.
Why is this effort so important?
In the words of The Global Wildlife Conservation, "Biodiversity (due to wildlife conservation) is the foundation of healthy ecosystems that provide us with food, medicines, water, clean air, and a stable climate." Additionally, the NWF (The National Wildlife Foundation) explains that animal conservation is also about future generations and the environment.